Following a competitive tendering process Aspen Medical has been contracted by the Australian Government's Department of Health to manage three healthcare locum programmes to be known as the Rural Locum Assistance Programme (Rural LAP). The new programme takes effect from Friday, 1 April 2016.
Rural LAP combines the Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS), the Rural Obstetric and Anaesthetic Locum Scheme (ROALS) and the Rural Locum Education Assistance Programme (Rural LEAP). The aims of the amalgamated programme include enhancing the ability of healthcare professionals in rural Australia to take leave and undertake continuing professional development (CPD) activities and improving the retention of these health professionals in rural locations. The programme will also enhance the ability of metropolitan-based general practitioners (GPs) to up skill professional competencies in Emergency Medicine.
The Rural LAP extends to:
- Obstetricians
- Anaesthetists
- Proceduralist general practitioners in obstetrics and anaesthetics
- Nurses and Midwives
- Allied health professionals.
“Having successfully run the NAHRLS program since 2011 we are confident that we will meet the challenging targets set under the Rural LAP. Supporting the rural health workforce by facilitating well-deserved leave and opportunities for training and professional development ultimately benefits the health clinics and the communities where they provide essential health services,“ said Glenn Keys AO, Executive Chairman and Founder of Aspen Medical.
Aspen Medical’s expertise and cost-effectiveness in delivering healthcare solutions in remote and challenging environments on behalf of State and Federal Governments has recently seen the company retain the Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) programme which provides urban-based health professionals with short-term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities in the NT. The company also provides health services on board vessels for the CSIRO and Customs. In recent months Aspen Medical has deployed its mobile surgical vehicle to public hospitals in NSW and QLD whilst they underwent refurbishment work.